The 2022 conference, returning to its live format this year after the previous two events were held virtually due to the pandemic, is being hosted at the NEC Birmingham on Thursday 23 June. OFTEC has partnered with the industry leading InstallerSHOW and will be also hosting a series of events during the three-day exhibition (21-23 June).

The trade association will hold its AGM on the same day (23 June) as well as its Chairman’s dinner reception on 22 June where attendees will hear from Times columnist and writer Lord Daniel Finkelstein.

During the conference OFTEC chief executive Paul Rose will assess the current landscape for off-grid heating policy, the need to deliver realistic and affordable low carbon solutions and the liquid fuel industry’s important role in achieving the government’s net zero ambitions.

OFTEC’s technical director Andy Matthews will also share the findings and analysis on the trade association’s joint industry demonstration project which has seen over 100 oil heated homes and commercial premises across the UK successfully transition to HVO following a simple low-cost conversion.

Andy will be joined by Malcolm Farrow, head of public affairs at OFTEC, who will showcase the Future Ready Fuel campaign and widespread support from consumers for renewable liquid fuels, and Mars Mlodzinski, owner of My Home Farm, who is participating in the HVO demonstration project and will share his first-hand experience of living with the fuel.

Ken Cronin, chief executive of UKIFDA, will also join OFTEC at the conference to set out the potential policy approaches to delivering the fossil-free fuel more widely to off-grid households and the ongoing engagement with the government.

Mr Farrow commented: “We’re excited to unveil our 2022 conference line up and partnership with InstallerShow at this important time for the industry. Now, more than ever in this current landscape, we need realistic, cost-effective and workable low carbon solutions to decarbonise the off-grid sector and meet our net zero ambitions.

“Our industry has united to lead the way with renewable liquid fuels, converting over 100 oil properties across the UK to HVO and reducing their emissions by 88%. We look forward to providing further insight to attendees as we continue to engage directly with the government to secure a wider rollout of the fuel.”